This course is designed as an introductory course for beginners and, as such, everyone will be following the same programme. It will introduce all the techniques required to make a small (20cm square), non-representational, stained glass panel. The tutor will help you to prepare a suitable design during the course.
The course will guide through all the techniques needed to make a stained glass panel. Materials and methods will be explained and skills taught to enable students to make a small (20cm square), non-representational, stained glass panel during the course. The course is mainly a practical one and will include the following:
Introduction to the medium
Designing a panel
Choosing glass to suit your project
Glass cutting and breaking
Leading and soldering
Cementing and finishing.
The course will run along the following lines, working at a pace suitable to individual student’s needs:
Friday evening
Introductions, discussion about what you have done previously and why you chose to do this course, a presentation about the tutor’s work, health and safety information, general information about Flatford Mill.
Saturday
Learning to cut and break glass, practising glass cutting to marked lines, preparing a suitable design for your panel, choosing and cutting out the coloured glass for your panel.
Sunday
Leading up your panel, soldering, cementing, cleaning up and polishing your panel. We will also photograph your work, complete FSC evaluation forms and have a round-up of the course.
You should be aware that a lot of the techniques are best carried out whilst standing up and some physical effort is required; however, the tutor will help students where necessary.
These are just two examples of panels made on this course in previous years:
If you would like to discuss the course content further you may contact the tutor direct by email: You can see examples of Carole’s work on her website: www.itsablast.co.uk
If you enjoy this course, you may wish to enrol for the longer Stained Glass: Painting with Light course which will run in July/August 2015. On this course, students will be able to make larger panels to their own designs and learn more about the craft of stained glass.
Health and Safety
If you are pregnant, you should consult your GP before enrolling on this course, as working with lead and solder can be harmful to the developing baby.
You must not wear open shoes or have bare legs (even if the weather is warm) in
the studio. Do not wear loose clothing or dangly jewellery as it may get caught in machinery. Long hair must be tied back.
Please note that you will not be able work in the studio unless supervised by the tutor. The studio will not be accessible during the lunch and dinner breaks and after tuition finishes each evening at around 2100 hrs.
Carole Gray is a designer and maker of decorative stained glass, who uses many of the traditional techniques practised by stained glass artists over the centuries to create work which is highly contemporary and decorative.
Tools and equipment (eg soldering irons, glass cutters and lead-cutting knives) are provided at the Centre as well as enough glass, lead and other materials to complete your 20cm square panel.
The following items must be brought for your personal use:
Pencils (HB and 2B), a rubber and A4 or A3 plain paper
Black felt pens in fine and medium thicknesses (Staedtler Permanent Lumocolour pens are ideal)
A fine red felt pen or biro
An apron or other coverall and old clothes
Good quality ruler and large set-square, scissors
Rubber or latex gloves
A paper face mask.
Extra pens, or paints, charcoal and masking tape are optional. If you are travelling by car you may wish to bring a dustpan and brush, some rags and newspapers.
Recommended Reading
Although there is no requirement to do any preparatory work before the course, if you wish to do some reading on this subject before the course, the following books are recommended:
· The Complete Stained Glass Course by Lynette Wrigley and Marc Gerstein, Apple Press, 1996
· Architectural Glass Art by Andrew Moor, Mitchell Beazley, 1997
· Stained and Decorative Glass by Elizabeth Morris, Grange Books, 1995
· The Technique of Decorative Stained Glass by Paul San Casciani, Batsford, 1996
· Decorative Glass: a sourcebook by Nancy Fyson, David and Charles, 2001
Afternoon tea is available from 1600 on Friday, but the first formal activity is dinner at 1900 (with the bar open from 1845!)
Residents: Please aim to arrive between 1530 and 1800 on Friday to allow us sufficient time to show you to your accommodation and around the communal areas.
Non-residents: You do not need to arrive quite so early but please can you be here by 1800 as we need to show you the communal areas as well.
The course will end at 1600 on Sunday.
Residential course fee includes:
· Full board accommodation including cooked breakfast, picnic lunch, homemade cakes and an evening meal. Vegetarian and other dietary option available.
· Up to 8 hours teaching time a day, plus relaxing breaks for meals and refreshments.
· Tea and coffee making facilities available throughout the day.
· Use of resources including library, workrooms, studios and the Centre grounds.
· Transport during the courses.
· Insurance to cover cancellation, personal belongings, personal accident, legal liability and medical emergency.
If you choose to be a non-resident on a residential course, the fee will include all the above except accommodation and breakfast.
Bookings can be made by telephoning the Centre; we are open 0930 – 1700 weekdays and most weekends. Alternatively, bookings can be made via our website: www.field-studies-council.org.